This programme seeks to support a broad range of development, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment projects that have the potential to lower the cost and increase the use of renewable energy technologies in Australia in the long term.

The programme’s objective is to fund activities that contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:
- Reduction in the cost of renewable energy.
- Increase in the value delivered by renewable energy.
- Improvement in technology readiness and commercial readiness of renewable energy technologies.
- Reduction in or removal of barriers to renewable energy uptake.
- Increased skills, capacity and knowledge relevant to renewable energy technologies.

The application process involves two stages:
- An initial expression of interest
- A full application

Grants between $100,000 and $50 million are available. Applicants are expected to provide matched contribution.

The total funding allocated by ARENA to this programme is up to the total amount of uncommitted funds available under section 64 of the ARENA Act to 2022.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the program administrator prior to submission of proposals.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicant must:
- At the time of applying, hold an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Unless applying for funding for Desktop Studies and Analysis:
a) Be (or warrant that at the time of entering into a funding agreement) an Australian entity incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
b) Be a Commonwealth entity prescribed as a government business enterprise by section 5(1) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014.
c) Be an Australian State or Territory owned corporation or a subsidiary of an Australian State or Territory owned corporation.
d) Be an Australian local government or council.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete information on eligibility requirements.

Eligible Activities

Eligible activities must:
- Involves a Renewable Energy Technology and/or has the potential to contribute to the Programme Outcomes.
- Not include research (Technology Readiness Level 1-3), or education and training of students. For the purpose of clarification, activities can include research components to the extent these are part of a larger activity focused on the development, demonstration, deployment or commercialisation of a renewable energy technology.
- Take place in Australia.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete information on eligible activities.